As Colorado State guard Nique C͏lifford enters ͏the spotlight as a ͏2͏02͏5 NBA Draft prospect, attention has͏ naturally turned toward the influences͏ behind his ͏steady rise. While much is known about his on-court abilities and ͏͏college career, ͏͏the people ͏͏who shaped ͏his journey — his parents — ͏remain largely in ͏the background. Here’s a closer look ͏at Akai and Angelique Clifford, the parents of ͏this promising young guard.
Who Is Nique Clifford’s Mother, Angelique Clifford?
Nique Clifford’s mother, Angelique Clifford, ͏is listed on the official Colorado ͏Buffaloes website ͏as one of his two͏ parents. ͏͏While she ͏has maintained a ͏low public profile, her presence has clearly been a steadying force ͏throughout Nique’s life. Born and ͏raised in Colorado ͏Springs, Niqu͏e͏ spent his ͏formative years close to home,͏ first attending The Vanguard School͏ and later choosing to stay ͏in-state ͏͏for college.
During ͏his time at Colorado, ͏Clifford didn’t just focus on basketball. He majored in Communication and ͏minored ͏in Leadership ͏Studies, which ͏speaks to a broader upbringing that likely emphasized academics and social awareness.
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He was also an Honor Roll student ͏in high school and received ͏Citizenship and Student-Athlete Awards, suggesting the type of support system͏ that emphasized discipline, character, and service.
In addition to excelling͏ in ͏the classroom, Clifford ͏volunteered his time at hospitals and with youth programs. His involvement ͏in ͏Teen Court and kids’ basketball camps further reinforces the ͏value system he ͏was raised with. It is reasonable ͏to believe that Angelique played a ͏central role in shaping those values.͏
All You Need To Know About Akai Clifford
Nique’s father, Akai Clifford, shares not only a surname but a deep connection to the athlete’s journey. As one-half of the parental duo, Akai’s influence was felt throughout the years Clifford spent honing his skills in Colorado Springs. The elder Clifford was present during Nique’s breakout senior year at The Vanguard School, where he averaged 26.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 3.5 steals, and 2.8 blocks per game.
Nique Clifford put his versatile skillset on display for dozens of NBA execs at the Life Sports Pro Day in Los Angeles. Few prospects in this draft match the Colorado State wing’s adaptability on both ends of the floor. pic.twitter.com/uJxd2mQvZp
— Jacob Myers (@League_Him) May 24, 2025
That performance earned Nique the Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year award ͏and national recognition. A four-star recruit͏ ranked 92nd nationally ͏by 247Sports͏, Nique also received offers from major programs including Stanford ͏and Wyoming but ultimately chose Colorado. He said, “I loved ͏coach Boyle’s vision for me and the program ͏as well as͏ the school ͏having top tier͏ academics.”
Clifford eventually transferred to Colorado State.
Akai likely played a vital part in this decision-making process, offering ͏guidance that ͏aligned athletic ambition ͏with academic grounding. Moreover͏,͏ Nique’s recollection of ͏his ͏biggest prep moment, ͏“dropping 36 points and ͏15 ͏rebounds ͏against a ͏Top 3 Class 4A team,” echoes the competitive ͏mindset that may have been nurtured at home.
Though both Akai and Angelique Clifford have largely stayed out͏ of the spotlight, their impact ͏on their son’s values, education, and athletic development is clear. As Nique Clifford steps onto the NBA Draft stage, it is not just his talent on display,͏ but the foundation͏ his parents helped build.
